Nearly 150 faculty members showed up to welcome the UAA Class of 2009 on a beautiful sun-drenched Saturday at the university’s first ever Freshman Convocation. They were joined by hundreds of freshman and their families in the packed Wendy Williamson Auditorium to hear Chancellor Elaine P. Maimon and well-known physicist and author Alan Lightman offer words of inspiration and practical advice for success in college and in life.

 Freshman Convocation was followed by a reception at the Lucy Cuddy Hall that overflowed into the Quad outside. Students and their parents had the opportunity to meet faculty members from every school and college to ask questions about the university in general or specific academic programs and courses.

 Many of UAA’s largest ever class of Alaska Scholars participated in an orientation session that preceded the Convocation. Students from all over Alaska, the Lower 48, and Russia were acquainted with the university’s expectations for their success and the resources available to help them achieve it.

  Activities continued throughout the evening with the Taste of UAA where students explored the many clubs and activities available to enhance their UAA experience.